AbstractIntroduction: Polymorphonuclear eosinophil leucocytes (eosinophils) are found in increased numbers in the circulation and sputum in asthma patients, usually in relation to the severity of asthma but it is the question whether they have a significant role in the development and level of bronchial hyperreactivity in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Objective: to show the role of the eosinophils in the development and level of BHR in patients with COPD and so in the severity of illness. Material and methods: We observed 240 patients with COPD treated in Clinic for Pulmonary Diseases and TB "Podhrastovi" Sarajevo during five years: from 2012 to 2016. They were divided into groups and subgroups according to the first registration of BHR in the course of illness and to the number of exacerbations of the disease in one year. The number of blood eosinophils was measured at the onset of exacerbation of the disease before switching on any therapy, at the beginning and at the end of the research. Results: we did not find any significant difference in the eosinophil blood count between the COPD patients with and without BHR, nor according to the time of the first registration of BHR in the course of illness nor according to the number of exacerbations of illness per one year. There was not statistically significant difference in eosinophil count (increase-drop) within any of the groups or subgroups, or between the groups and subgroups between the first and last test.
Conclusion: There is not significant correlation between the eosinophil blood count and the level of BHR, number of exacerbations and the severity of COPD.